Former U.S. deputy attorney general Heymann (Terrorism and America), now a professor at Harvard Law School, contends that war is the wrong approach to terrorism, calling instead for a revitalized intelligence apparatus to assess and neutralize threats before they occur. But, he argues, such a system must have firmly established limits to prevent its unwarranted use against American citizens. While supporting the battle against the Taliban, Heymann is less enthusiastic about subsequent policy decisions by the Bush administration, accusing it of ignoring the long-term consequences of actions that run counter to democratic principles and erode America's moral authority in the international community. The legal and political analysis is sound though dry and academic, suited more for policy experts than general readers. (Oct.)
